How to Become A Construction Trades Worker in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 35,920 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,400 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a construction trades worker in Pennsylvania, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Construction Trades Worker in Pennsylvania
How do I become a construction trades worker in Pennsylvania? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in Pennsylvania.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do construction trades workers earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Pennsylvania is $49,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,480 and experienced professionals can earn $74,670 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $49,400 per year 1
Construction Trades Worker Apprenticeship Information in Pennsylvania
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Office, PA Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 1301 Labor and Industry Building, Harrisburg, PA 17121
- Phone: (800) 932-0665
- Email: [email protected]
Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), construction laborers wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 14,580 | $55,120 | $58,940 | $38,390 | $83,200 |
| Pittsburgh | 8,620 | $50,600 | $54,280 | $37,390 | $71,850 |
| Lancaster | 2,270 | $48,670 | $51,570 | $37,940 | $66,570 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,670 | $49,290 | $54,880 | $37,620 | $75,320 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 1,450 | $48,290 | $52,690 | $37,330 | $73,170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 1,370 | $49,670 | $52,580 | $37,920 | $69,640 |
| York-Hanover | 1,250 | $49,350 | $53,420 | $38,420 | $72,110 |
| Reading | 990 | $48,800 | $53,040 | $37,810 | $71,300 |
| State College | 620 | $53,420 | $54,530 | $37,990 | $71,300 |
| Erie | 540 | $46,480 | $47,940 | $35,450 | $63,140 |
| Chambersburg | 440 | $46,860 | $48,310 | $37,480 | $60,070 |
| Altoona | 350 | $45,820 | $46,930 | $35,610 | $60,370 |
| Williamsport | 250 | $46,360 | $49,700 | $36,620 | $65,710 |
| Gettysburg | 240 | $48,010 | $48,340 | $36,250 | $60,810 |
| Lebanon | 240 | $47,530 | $48,990 | $35,760 | $61,510 |
| Johnstown | 210 | $45,320 | $49,040 | $35,280 | $69,110 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Construction trades workers in Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest construction trades worker employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 14,580 | $55,120 |
| Pittsburgh | 8,620 | $50,600 |
| Lancaster | 2,270 | $48,670 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,670 | $49,290 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre | 1,450 | $48,290 |
Explore More Trades in Pennsylvania
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- CNC Machinist in Pennsylvania
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for construction trades workers in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 35,920 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania. You can also contact the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do construction trades workers earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Pennsylvania is $49,400, which is $2,670 above the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |